Listers,
Did anyone watch the 1st Ghanaian Presidential Debate held Live on Tuesday this week?
If you missed it, it is worth watching at http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_110227&feature=iv&src_vid=cw__Fw45d7o&v=_zVy9-slBZY
It was impressive and I loved the structure of the debate for 3 reasons:-
1. It focused entirely on SUBTANCE (Development Agenda) – ICT issues also featured in the discussions! A pure focus on concrete agenda/vision for the country going forward.
2. The facilitation was very focused with strategic questions posed to the candidates sequentially and they had EXACTLY 3 minutes to succinctly respond and no more! They had only 3 “chances of rebuttal”
3. They had a blend of a researcher/media personality as the co-hosts – which means empirical evidence/research information was consulted to pose piercing and targeted questions.
There was no room as such for “dirty politics/ethnic persuasions”. The 3rd debate will feature a debate of the running mates! The whole debate series is managed by the Institute of Economic Affairs.
As we gear up to Kenya’s debate this month, many questions run through my mind:
1. Will Kenya for the first time focus on SUBTANCE and NOT our usual political theatrics?
2. Will we draw on empirical evidence to pose challenging and deep questions? What role can research think tanks play to have substantive issues addressed?
3. How will the 20+ presidential candidates be managed in an effective way to give equal opportunity to all, yet remain focused and substantive?
…………the list goes on!
I’m sure listers have many more questions!
As a community, we should aim to submit concrete pressing questions related to the industry (assuming there’s room for this)
I hope Julie and her co-host will run Kenya’s debate differently and borrow a leaf from Ghana’s….avoiding the Kenyan typical style of politics! This is a challenge we throw to the media houses that will be hosting the series of historic debates.
Reflective Edith!